Director, U.S. Public Policy & Vaccine Strategy (Hybrid)

1000 Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 191,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement benefits (401(k))

Paid holidays

Job summary

MSD in Washington, DC is seeking a Director of U.S. Public Policy to lead policy development for vaccines and our investigational long-acting influenza antiviral.

The role requires legal analysis and collaboration across medical, legal, and commercial teams in a highly matrixed organization, with hybrid work arrangements. You will translate complex policy developments into actionable recommendations for senior leaders, engage with government officials and stakeholder groups, and shape strategies

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree required.
• At least seven years of relevant experience in public policy, government, public affairs, a trade association, a patient or provider organization, consulting, or the biopharmaceutical sector.
• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. public policy and the legislative, regulatory, and administrative policymaking processes at the federal and/or state level.
• Experience addressing public health matters and the ability to lead policy work on vaccines and on a long‑acting antiviral influenza product while contributing to broader public policy issues, including pricing, reimbursement, and patient access.
• Sound judgment and strong legal research, analysis, and drafting skills, with the ability to work through unfamiliar issues, develop practical recommendations, and collaborate effectively with legal counsel and subject‑matter experts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders and high‑level external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience working across culturally teams and matrixed teams with a high degree of collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy development and execution for vaccines and for our company's investigational long-acting influenza antiviral; monitor and assess related federal, regulatory, and administrative developments across public health, prevention, access, coverage, reimbursement, and health-system infrastructure.
• Work with the team to support legal analysis of issues across the public policy portfolio, in coordination with the issue lead and legal counsel, as needed, including pricing, reimbursement, access, intellectual property, and oversight.
• Develop evidence-based company policy positions, comment letters, and other policy submissions, integrating public health evidence, legal analysis, and business considerations in partnership with cross-functional colleagues.
• Translate complex policy developments into clear insights, implications, options, and recommendations for senior policy and business leaders.
• Identify emerging risks and opportunities and develop proactive strategies to advance or protect priority policy outcomes.
• Build and maintain relationships with government officials, public health organizations, patient and provider groups, policy organizations, and other partners, and represent our company in trade association and coalition meetings.
• Lead cross-functional policy workstreams from strategy through execution, including workplans, decision points, stakeholder roles, budgets, and measures of progress or impact.
• Manage policy research, consultants, and other resources that strengthen policy development, thought leadership, and advocacy strategies.

Skills

Healthcare Policies

Public Health

Policy Analysis

Policy Development

Public Policies

Regulatory Development

Strategic Planning

Strategic Thinking

Political Forums

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree

Job description

MSD in Washington, DC is seeking a Director of U.S. Public Policy to lead policy development for vaccines and our investigational long-acting influenza antiviral.

The role requires legal analysis and collaboration across medical, legal, and commercial teams in a highly matrixed organization, with hybrid work arrangements. You will translate complex policy developments into actionable recommendations for senior leaders, engage with government officials and stakeholder groups, and shape strategies